Hays, North Carolina
Looking for the best chillin in Hays? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Hays. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Chillin Spots in and near Hays
-
Hays, North Carolina
Hike along Basin Creek in Doughton Park
5.011 mi / 1800 ft gainA treasure in North Carolina that doesn't get as much attention as it should, Doughton Park has some of the best trails around. It is the largest park operated by the Blue Ridge Parkway and has over 30 miles of trails available. The parking area for the Basin Creek Trail is small, but rarely cro...Read more -
Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
Photograph Sugarland Overlook
Located just inside the park entrance of Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, Sugarland Overlook provides an outstanding easterly view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The Sugarland Overlook is located about a mile up from the ranger station and is on the righthand side of the road....Read more -
Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
Photograph Wild Horses at Grayson Highlands State Park
4.61.8 mi / 306 ft gainThe wild horses gather on top of the bald at the end of Horse Trail North located in Grayson Highlands State Park. Because they are wild, it is important to remember not to touch or feed the horses. The horses are accustomed to hikers and will allow you in their near proximity, but bring a zoom l...Read more -
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Camp and Paddle at Price Lake
This campground is all kinds of amazing, and if you get one of the sites in the A loop, you will have lakefront property (just be warned, if I see you there, I'll have to crash with you ;-). Price Lake is a gorgeous lake right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and perfect for canoeing...Read more -
Elk Creek, Virginia
Camp at Comers Rock Recreation Area
1 miI didn't have any issues putting "Comers Rock Recreation Area" into my phone's GPS (Waze) and arriving exactly where I was supposed to. When you turn off US 21 (aka the Grayson Turnpike/Elk Creek Parkway) to Jefferson National Forest Road 57, you'll see a sign a parking lot that says "road not su...Read more -
Banner Elk, North Carolina
Explore Boone Fork Creek
0.25 mi / 75 ft gainBoone Fork Bridge and creek is situated at the base of Grandfather Mountain, on the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 299.9. Elevation 3905'.The trailhead is at the left side of Boone Fork Creek parking area and the trail is a gentle meander through Rhododendrons and a hardwood forest.As you head tow...Read more -
Newland, North Carolina
Beacon Heights Overlook
5.00.71 mi / 105 ft gainBeacon Heights is the perfect hike when you're on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Linville and Grandfather Mountain, Milepost 305.2. The trail is a steady climb uphill for less than a half mile. The last section being fairly steep and rocky. Once at the top, there are several rock outcroppings, but...Read more -
Linville, North Carolina
Hike the Flat Rock Trail (NC)
5.00.6 miFlat Rock Trail is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 308. There is a pull-off from the Parkway with a sign designating the location. There are several picnic tables around the pull-off, but I would recommend taking your lunch up to Flat Rock. The wide, clear trail is practically flat...Read more -
Elk Park, North Carolina
Elk River Falls
4.60.35 mi / 62 ft gainThe coordinates for the parking area are 36.198288, -81.970137. You'll see a parking area that's dirt/gravel on the right side of the road. At the far end of the parking lot is a sign that says Elk River Falls with an arrow pointing up the hill. From this point its about a .2 mile long walk to th...Read more -
Danbury, North Carolina
Hanging Rock
4.42.45 mi / 515 ft gainPark in the main parking lot for Hanging Rock State Park, and the trailhead can easily be found in the upper parking lot (furthest away from the main building), and is clearly marked. The trail starts off by descending, but don't be fooled, it quickly turns into a steady climb that will have you ...Read more -
Morganton, North Carolina
Hike to Hawksbill Mountain
5.02.1 mi / 660 ft gainStarting at the Hawksbill Mountain Trailhead, which is clearly marked start hiking up! The trail starts out with some easy uphill switchbacks and leads you to the first lookout point. Enjoy sometime at the lookout point, but you'll want to keep going for a more incredible view. Keep hiking uphill...Read more -
Morganton, North Carolina
Hike to the Summit of Table Rock Mountain
4.62.2 mi / 572 ft gainOff of Highway 181, the trailhead is very clearly marked with a large parking lot. Although the trail is fairly short, make sure you have your footing, because the trail does switch back and forth in addition to gaining elevation -- it's pretty steep in some places! It's all worth it when you get...Read more -
Morganton, North Carolina
Camp at the Chimneys in the Linville Wilderness
5.01 mi / 138 ft gainThe Chimneys area is a lesser-known camping destination within the Linville Wilderness. The Chimneys are a series of rock formations that rise above Linville Gorge and provide unobstructed panoramic views of the gorge and surrounding mountains. These rocks sit adjacent to Table Rock which hosts w...Read more